{"id":351544,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family.html"},"modified":"2025-05-19T12:44:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T17:44:08","slug":"family","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family.html","title":{"rendered":"Family Law"},"content":{"rendered":"
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  1. \n FindLaw <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n <\/li>\n
  2. Family Law<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
    \n

    Family Law<\/h1>\n

    “Family law” refers to rules, regulations, and court procedures involving the family unit. Some family law matters can be handled without counsel, but processes such as child custody often require the expertise of a skilled attorney.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    What Does Family Law Cover?<\/h2>\n

    Certain procedures affecting the responsibilities of family life must be pursued in court. While matters of the heart are very personal, the rights of same-sex couples to get married, laws regarding divorce, and the process of adopting a child are governed by state and federal laws.\u00a0Civil procedures and legal matters involving family members’ financial responsibilities, custodial rights, eligibility, and other obligations generally fall under the family law as well.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

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    \n <\/i>\n \n Marriage<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  3. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Getting Married\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  4. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Marriage Licenses by State\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  5. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Common Law Marriage\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  6. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Prenuptial Agreements\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Are You Ready for Marriage?<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Divorce<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  7. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Divorce Process\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  8. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Military Divorce\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  9. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Divorce, Money and Property\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  10. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Alimony and Spousal Support\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Divorce Timeline<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Child Custody<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  11. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Who Gets Custody\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n How To Get Custody\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  13. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Custody Problems\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  14. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Custody Forms by State\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Custody Information by State<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Child Support<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  15. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Getting Child Support\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  16. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n How Much Child Support Can You Receive?\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  17. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n State-Specific Child Support Information and Guidelines\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Child Support Amounts<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Adoption<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  18. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Different Types of Adoption\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  19. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Adoption Assistance\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  20. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Birth Parent Rights\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  21. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Adoption Agency Checklist\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Adoption Checklist<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Living Together<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  22. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Cohabitation Agreements\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  23. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Living Together Overview\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  24. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Property Rights for Unmarried Couples\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Marriage vs. Cohabitation<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Domestic Partnerships<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  25. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Civil Unions vs. Marriage\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  26. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Domestic Partners\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  27. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n State Laws on Domestic Partners\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Domestic Partner Benefits<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Reproductive Rights<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  28. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Abortion Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Birth Control\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  30. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n What Are Reproductive Rights?\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Reproductive Rights Overview<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Emancipation<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  31. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Emancipation Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  32. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Emancipation Procedure\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Legal Rights of Children\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Learn the Basics<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Paternity<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  34. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Challenging Paternity\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Rights of Fathers\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  36. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Legal Significance of Paternity\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Establishing Paternity<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Parental Rights and Liability<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  37. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Termination of Parental Rights\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  38. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Parental Civil Liability\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  39. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Parental Criminal Liability\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n New Parent Checklist<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Guardianship<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  40. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Guardianship Basics\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  41. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Choosing a Guardian for Your Child\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  42. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Resources for Guardianship\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n FAQs on Child Guardianship<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Foster Care<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  43. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Foster Children\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  44. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Foster Parent Requirements\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  45. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n How to Foster a Child\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Types of Foster Care<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Surrogacy<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n
  46. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Surrogacy Law\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  47. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Surrogacy Contract Checklist\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  48. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Surrogacy Application: Questions To Ask\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n What Is Surrogate Parenthood?<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Artificial Conception<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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  49. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Artificial Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  50. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Questions to Ask an Infertility Service\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  51. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Artificial Conception Basics\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Artificial Conception Overview<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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    Criminal Matters Within Family Law<\/h2>\n

    Domestic violence and child abuse are considered criminal matters that will involve criminal courts as well as family court.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

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    \n
    \n \n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Child Abuse<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  52. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Child Abuse Information by State\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  53. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Child Abuse Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  54. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Where To Get Help for Child Abuse\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Child Abuse Resources<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Domestic Violence<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  55. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Stopping Domestic Violence\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  56. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Domestic Violence Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  57. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Domestic Violence State Forms\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Overview & Basics<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Help For Abuse or Domestic Violence<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n
  58. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n National Domestic Violence Website\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  59. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Victim Resources<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
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    \n

    Family Laws in Your State<\/h2>

    States have their own rules about valid marriages, child support, family court processes, applications, licenses, and more. Your situation will depend on several factors specific to your case and your state’s unique laws.<\/p>\n

    Select your state below<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n Show All States<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n